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     The Bishop Block Building is located at 714 Washington Street in Port Townsend, Washington. It was built by William Bishop, Senior, one of the earliest settlers of the area. Construction date was 1890. The building was brick with a ground floor and two upper floors. He operated the building for years, however it was not a successful venture for him.

     Bishop sold the building to Owl Cigar Company.  They rented out the street level for offices. The upper levels of the building were used for tobacco storage and distribution.

     In 1940, the building was acquired by the U.S. Navy.  It was used for housing for civilian workers.

     In 1980, the Bishop Block Building was opened for the first time as a hotel by Mr. and Mrs John Pickett.

     The Building was purchased by Cindy and Joe Finnie in the 1990’s.  They extensively remodeled the building.

     In September, 2020, Jessica Jennings and Eric Weinberg purchased the building .  They are doing an extensive update of the Hotel Building.  In 2021, they opened the Block Bottle Shop; this is the hotels latest wine bar.

     The Bishop Hotel is now an independent boutique all suite hotel in downtown Port Townsend, Washington.  It is one block from the water.

     In 1831, the state of Illinois granted Knox County $200 dollars to build a bridge over the Spoon River.  Research indicates that the bridge was not built until 1838.      The original bridge was built by Jacob Wolf, a prominent cattle rancher and owner of one thousand acres in Knox County.  This bridge was an uncovered wooden deck.  In 1873, Jacob Burkhalter,  civil war captain, built a wooden enclosure over the bridge.  There were wooden swinging end doors. The enclosure preserved the wood from rot.  The original bridge was 234 feet long and 11 feet wide.  Over the years, the bridge was covered with graffiti.      In August 1, 1994, the bridge was destroyed by fire.  Arson was suspected.  3 boys were charged and tried.  They were given probation.      The state of Illinois provided funds from a new bridge.  The replica was created by master craftsmen using new materials and traditional building skills. The new bridge was wider and taller than the original to accommodate modern vehicles.  It was completed in 1999.  Costs were $900,000.      The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.            Photos are courtesy of D.W.

     The Rock Island Railroad Depot in Chillicothe,Il is located at 3rd and Cedar Street.It dates back to the 1800’s. It has been renovated 3 times. It served passengers of The Rock Island Railroad between Peoria and Chicago

     The depot was donated to the Chillicothe Historical Society in the early 1980’s.  Museum was dedicated in 1987. The museum displays railroad artifacts and memoribilia.

    Prominent center point of the exhibit is a 1929 Santa Fe Caboose obtained and restored in 1984.

Photos courtesy D.W.

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  Seattle Great Wheel.

•      Construction on the project began on April 17, 2012.  It opened on June 29, 2012.  The cost of the project was $20 million.   The wheel is owned by Great Western Pacific.  Structural engineers were Chance Rides.  Contractor was Manson Construction.